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First time backpack hunting

Im looking to try something new this year. I'm hunting the big horns region Y and will be there for a week. I'd like to try backpack hunting for a night or two. This will be second 2nd year in the horns and 4 year in Wyoming (previously region C). With that being said what should a guy look for when packing the bag to head in for the night? My initial thoughts are tent, sleeping bag, lighter, water, dehydrated food of some sort, and of course my normal hunting gear.

bug spray, lots of bug spray. There are lots of good options here about this sort of thing I am not sure why I am posting, but sometimes its fun to pretend to know something. I wasn't sure if you were packing water, but a water purifier would be fine. There are lots of little streams and stuff in the Big Horns, but cows like them, too. So no raw water. Being hydrated is a huge concern with the exercise and the altitude, you really have to watch out. You need lots of calories, too. For the food make sure the dehydrated food has a lot of protein, not just noodles. I think there are a lot of package meals made especially for backpackers. Those magnesium fire starters are kindof fun, I think they work pretty well. There can be fire restrictions, so watch out for those as the time comes up. I personally don't like lighters because I keep burning my fingers. Lighting a candle with a lighter works for me I guess, so bring a lighter and some candles. Extra socks and clothes are a must. Bring clothes for cold, snow, and wet just in case at any time of year. With my kid in Boy Scouts, I kindof cheat and just go down their checklist. Compass, GPS, maps, hatchet, a couple good knives, sharpener, cook stove, my list seems to get bigger all the time. Those are probably part of your normal hunting gear. There are some pretty light weight tents and sleeping bags, and there is a thread here about floorless tarp tents or some such thing. Good to look into. You might be looking at a 50# pack with a weeks worth of stuff, so no extras. 50# is a lot for me for longer distances, at least its downhill on the way back. Those Wal-Mart sleeping bags rated for +40 might not cut it, it can get a little chilly at times. Well have fun. Hope you get some good info from these guys. Oh bear bag, rope, and spray, almost forgot.

I have spent some miserable times in some bug infested destinations.
Even deer hunted in the coastal swamps of North Carolina where the mosquitos reminded me of dragon flies.
The big tiger striped skeeters just drilled right through mesh gloves so I wore surgical gloves underneath to fend them off.

My point is, while hunting I do my best to avoid bug spray, but I have been forced to wipe a little dirt flavored stuff around the holes in my bug hood.

A couple of years ago I started using a thermacell and it works pretty well if you are sitting still and the wind is fairly calm.

That is a good point. The extra deet smell is probably not helpful for hunting. I will have to look into alternatives like what you mentioned. I don't think the blood suckers are as big and nasty as in swampy NC, but they can sure be a nuisance. I got a little carried away, a 50# pack is probably a bit much for a night or two, sorry about that. I was trying to cook dinner, watch tv and write at the same time.

A light shelter, a sleeping pad, bag or quilt, and your pack make up what is known as your base weight. That is where your biggest weight savings (or gain) will be found. My base weight will range from around 8 lbs to around 9 or 10 depending on season.

Plan for success, so have game bags with you as well as some light rope to hang them in trees. Also make sure you have all the cutting tools you would need to cut up an animal. Another little item I found handy once-I pitched my green Eureka tent in some timber and then after wandering around all morning I had a tough time finding my way back to spike camp. The GPS didn't read very well under al that timber. Good thing I had hung an orange bandana in a tree near the tent so I was able to find it. I have also left something orange at a kill site to help mark the spot if I had to leave something out to go retrieve a backpack or something.

If you know how to bone an animal out, you can get by with just one knife or maybe two. I like to carry a havalon because it's easy to trade out blades when one gets dull. I also carry a small lockback knife with a 3 or 4" blade in case I need some backbone when cutting.

Never go into the woods without rain gear...unless you like being wet and cold. The time you don't think you need it, it will rain on you. Mountain weather is fickle - especially at elevation.

A backup light even if it is a small keychain light. A small first aid kit. You can buy one at your outdoor store, and will work fine as is. I then pack a few other things for my personal needs(pain reliever of choice, moleskin,....).

CAMERA!! Solitude is great, but it is nice to share with others what you did and what you saw.